Album Review #8 - Eric Clapton - Behind The Sun (1985)

 

Album Review #8

 

Artist:  Eric Clapton

Album:  Behind The Sun

Year of Release:  1985

Grade:  3.5 / 5

 

Band Members

Eric Clapton – vocals, guitars, guitar synthesizer

Steve Lukather – guitar

Lindsey Buckingham – guitar

Donald Dunn – bass

Nathan East – bass

J. Peter Robinson – keyboards

Chris Stainton – keyboards, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes

Michael Omartian – keyboards

James Newton Howard – keyboards

Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, backing vocals

Phil Collins – drums, backing vocals, synthesizer

Jamie Oldaker – drums

Jeff Porcaro – drums

John Robinson – drums

Ray Cooper – percussion

Lenny Castro – congas

Marcy Levy – backing vocals

Shaun Murphy – backing vocals

Jerry Lynn Williams – backing vocals

 

 

 

Background

Eric Clapton is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time.  He has been a member of many hugely successful and influential bands – Yardbirds, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek & The Dominos.  He is the only three time member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  His solo career started in 1970.  He was addicted to drugs and alcohol which he overcame and created the Crossroads Center in Antigua to help people overcome addictions.  It is provided at a low cost for Caribbean residents.  Clapton is also famous for playing the uncredited guitar solo in the Beatles’ song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.

 

This album was a comeback album of sorts as the previous album “Money And Cigarettes” did not sell as well as expected despite a radio friendly single.  Genesis drummer and solo artist Phil Collins was brought in to bring in a more modern sound.  The album was made during a turbulent personal time for Clapton as his wife Pattie Boyd had left him.  He channeled his grief into his music.

 

 

Track Listing

1.      “She’s Waiting” (Clapton, Peter Robinson)

2.      “See What Love Can Do” (Jerry Lynn Williams)

3.      “Same Old Blues” (Clapton)

4.      “Knock On Wood” (Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper)

5.      “Something’s Happening” (Williams)

6.      “Forever Man” (Williams)

7.      “It All Depends” (Clapton)

8.      “Tangled In Love” (Marcy Levy, Richard Feldman)

9.      “Never Make You Cry” (Clapton, Phil Collins)

10.  “Just Like A Prisoner” (Clapton)

11.  “Behind The Sun” (Clapton)

 

 

Review

Overall critique is not on the songs or performances but of the production.  It has the Phil Collins drum effect.  It is present on almost every thing that Collins had his hands on in the 80s.  It almost treats the drums as a lead instrument – every Collins solo song or Genesis song has this feel.  It feels very dated.

 

The opening track “She’s Waiting” begins with a great guitar sound. The song about a woman who has been mistreated and being tired of it so she’s looking for someone to treat her correctly.  The song parallels Clapton’s addictions in his marriage.  Despite this, it is a great song.  Clapton’s vocals definitely have a pleading effect.  The female background vocals really add to the song, which is uncommon for a Clapton song.

 

 

“See What Love Can Do” follows up with a more optimistic tone.  It kind of has a country blues feel to it.  It has a nice feel to it without being tedious.  The guitar solo as expected adds another layer.  The only criticism is the over repetition of the title in the song. 

 

“Same Old Blues” is a straight up blues song that fits Clapton’s strengths.  His love is the blues and it is all front and center on this track.  It is not a “wow” song but has a great guitar solo.

 

The next track is “Knock On Wood”.  This song has been around a long time and covered by lots of artists including a disco version.  Clapton’s version has more in common with the original but with his own spin on it.  It has a great horn/synthesizer accompaniment.  Of course, the highlight is the guitar work.  Once again, the female backing vocals add another level to give it almost a gospel feel to it.

 

 

“Something’s Happening” opens with a less in your face guitar than “She’s Waiting” but has a nice feel to it.  This sound isn’t one of his best but it isn’t a throwaway either.  The guitar solo is typical Clapton where guitar almost becomes another singer.

 

“Forever Man” was the lead single from the album.  The guitar parts are great (are you noticing a pattern here?).  His pleading vocals play well with the nature of the song.  Considering the song is about a man and woman wanting a forever commitment to each other, Clapton’s vocals are indicative of his struggles in the marriage to Pattie at the time.

 

 

 

The next track is “It All Depends” is a very underrated track.  At first listen, it doesn’t seem like a wow song with its church organ type intro.  But it has a great bluesy vocal about relationships.  I find myself humming the melody.  Some great guitar work once again.

 

“Tangled In Love” is a favorite track of mine.  The song is about falling in love when you didn’t expect it.  I love the swampy type of guitar sound that drives this song.  In some ways, it is a simplistic song but not so in other ways.

 

“Never Make You Cry” is to me the first clunker song on the album.  While it has some fantastic guitar work as far as solos, it just comes across as a bland boring song.

 

The next song “Just Like A Prisoner” is more uptempo song that the preceding song but still is an underwhelming song.  It is straight album filler.  I do like the emotions of the vocals though.

 

The final song is “Behind The Sun”.  So much for ending on a positive note.  It suffers from the same malady as “Never Make You Cry” except for the vocals are much weaker here.  I don’t even think this would rate as a B side to a single.  The best thing is that the length comes in at just over two minutes.